All is Fair in Love, War and Indian Politics!!
Following the allegations and counter allegations leveled by political parties against each other, one can easily coin a new idiom: All is Fair in Love, War and Indian Politics!! In retrospect, there is hardly any major difference between the oldest and the largest democracies – USA and India. Undeniably, murky and vicious politics are on grand display in both countries – no holds barred. The allegations and counters, sans ideologies, indulged by leaders in pursuit of power are real. For example, the “Fake Video” of Amit Shah and the “Sex Sleeze” videos of Revanna brood in Karnataka.
The key issue that is oft-repeated includes: “Save Democracy”, which is the worst farce. Over the past 75 years, democracy stands defaced, distorted, raped and mutilated beyond its original conception. If one wants to ‘Save Democracy in its mutilated form”, it is only possible through revolutionary changes; but not cosmetic reforms or refinements through amendments. Otherwise, India may sink into a political abyss or quicksand or quagmire and disintegrate unable to overcome innumerable challenges.
The past is the prism through which provides insights into today’s affairs. Delhi historically was always engulfed in intrigue, treachery and corruption from the days of Mahabharata epic.
However, the fault for today’s absurd environment squarely rests with “We the People of India” – considered supreme. In retrospect, Indian voters are too gullible, irrational and parochial – swayed easily by sentiments and emotions. But, it is changing slowly but steadily.
None can deny that political leaders and parties have mastered the “art and science” of manipulating voters' sentiments and emotions to win elections by promising the “Moon” to them. It is, therefore, impossible to expect fair and just democracy!
In the name of democracy, elected representatives, particularly the I.N.D.I Alliance, have enacted political theatrics of the most despicable order straight into the drawing rooms and the mobile phones over the past six months. “Aye Rams, Gaye Rams” are quite routine. Yet to unfold are “Acts” after the election results are announced on 04 June 2024.
In the past, eloquent sermons have been given on the urgent need for electoral reforms to cleanse the system. When the time for action comes, they retract under pressure from the compulsions of electoral politics.
Let me recount statements of eminent personalities on the need to change. As per Bhagavad Geeta, “Change is the only constant thing.” George Bernard Shaw stated "Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." To the credit of John F. Kennedy goes “Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by discomforts.”
In practice, democracy is a system of competing and elected elites – dynasts at all levels. Politicians are elected by means of a competitive struggle (fair or foul means; money or muscle power) for votes. In reality, it is a ‘rich man’s game and “Yatha Praja; Thata Raja (Like the Voter; so the Ruler)”, selfish and greedy, syndrome prevails. Unless one is a “Crorepathi”, one cannot even contest in Sarpanch elections in the neighborhood of mega cities. Having spent large sums of money, what can one expect from elected representatives except to multiply returns over investments for the next round of elections!
India has experienced many varieties of political orders starting with “Feudolocracy” in the 1950s. Prof. Gunnar Myrdal in his book published in 1968 “Asian Drama: An Enquiry into the Poverty of nations'' termed it “Functional Anarchy”. Followed from 1975 to 1977, Indira Gandhi's emergency or dictatorship. By the 1980s, criminalization of politics – money and muscle power – became rampant.
Over the past 75-years, democracy has been hijacked by Kleptocracy that is "rule of the few, by the few and for the few”. What is “Kleptocracy“? It is “a government by those who are strong enough to seize control through the threat or use of force, coercive power, social persuasion, manipulation or deceptive cunning” or “government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed”. Going by the Association of Democratic Reports, the majority of criminals are today elected representatives in the Parliament and State Assemblies.
“I-Me-Myself-My Progeny” is the sole pursuit of political leadership except for the few political leaders. Their ways and means are “Loot and Scoot” in pursuit of power by hook or crook: “Make Hay while the Sun shines”. “Public service and virtue” is their least concern. No concern for national interests.
Despite profound wisdom of eminent personalities on the need for change, yet the status quo persists with monotonous obduracy. Why? The answer is simple. Democracy in its mutilated and messy form suits the interests of the Dynasts, Neo-Maharajahs and Kleptocrats.
Observations made by eminent personalities like Winston Churchill, M K Gandhi and Justice V R Krishna Iyer appear prophetic. In 1946, Winston Churchill in his address to the British Parliament stated “Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all Indian leaders will be of low caliber and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political squabbles. A day would come when even air and water would be taxed in India”. In retrospect, “Incredibly we’ve worked very hard to prove” Churchill right.
Never ever out of context to recall M K Gandhi’s lamentation in his message to the Nation on 26 January 1948: “This day, Jan 26, is Independence Day. This observance was quite appropriate when we were fighting for Independence we had not seen or handled. Now, we have handled it and we seem to be disillusioned. At least, I am, even if you are not. What are we celebrating today? Had M K Gandhi been living today, surely he would have undertaken a “Fast unto Death” at the door steps of the Parliament to throw out all the “dynasts” or “rascals and rogues” masquerading as democrats living in Palaces-cum-fortresses, surrounded by gunmen, escort cars and leading “Royal” lifestyles at ‘tax-payers costs”.
Most scathing indictment was delivered by former Justice V R Krishna Iyer in the Hindu (21 January 1993): “Politics, with focus on power and the polls, can never solve a problem embroiled in acrimony and soaked in blood. Parliament, currently a functioning anarchy, and the Cabinet, a fragmented collectivity, are instrumentalities whose credibility and competence are at low ebb and the country is itself disintegrating. In this grave hour, if there is some hope, not that there is much hope, it is from the Court”. Had he been alive, he too would have criticized the judicial ways of today.
No wonder, feudalist-cum-fascist factionists, murderers, rapists, local dons with nexus with international dons, smugglers, extortionists, land grabbers, IT defaulters, etc., are masquerading as leaders of repute in almost all states. Only, their shades may differ. They may not have PhDs, but they are emeritus of treachery, intrigue, violence and corruption. And, they are master practitioners of “All is fair in love, war and politics”. The blame for such an absurd situation to prevail and persist squarely rests with “We the People of India”, considered Supreme in Democracy.
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